Conserving resources electricity, water, money is an important step toward leading a sustainable lifestyle (both personally and environmentally). People strive daily to save money, and yet many do not make the connection between resources and finances forgetting that electric bills and water bills make up a significant portion of monthly expenses. But just because these resources and expenses are necessary, that doesn't mean they can't be cut back, or utilized more thoughtfully and effectively. Often times, we act in a wasteful manner, simply out of habit. But habits can be broken follow these tips to leave your water wasting habits behind.

1. Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth, clean dishes, or wash your car. Thousands of gallons of water are wasted each year, simply because people are too lazy to turn off the faucet when doing any number of daily tasks. When you brush your teeth, get in the habit of turning the water off after you've moistened the toothbrush, and don't turn it back on until you're done brushing and ready to rinse. When cleaning up after a meal, stack dishes next to the sink, and fill the sink halfway to two-thirds of the way with water, then ad soap. Then bring the dishes into the warm soapy water one at a time, and stack them to dry when you're done. This not only conserves a significant amount of water, it also keeps you from wasting soap, and from sloshing water all over the counter, floor, and yourself. Next time you wash the car, mix a soapy warm-water solution in a bucket, then turn the hose off until it's time to rinse.

2. Avoid washing a load of laundry or dishes until you have enough dirty items to fill the machine. Washing machines and dishwashers use an incredible amount of water. Next time you have just a few things that need washing, do it the old fashioned way and wash them by hand (utilizing the guidelines in tip #1, of course). And encourage family members and roommates to do the same you'll be helping the environment, while also lightening the financial load.

3. Be conscious of when you choose to water your lawn. Many cities and communities discourage residents from watering their lawns, gardens, and plants during the heat of the day particularly in the summer months. This is because, during the heat of the day, a larger percentage of the water will evaporate before it can soak into the soil. Whenever possible, avoid watering your lawn in direct sunlight. Instead, do your watering in the early morning or evening hours it's more efficient, and more effective.

Regardless of whether or not you're experiencing a shortage of water, it should always be treated as a valuable resource, worthy of conservation and care. Next time you're tempted to cut corners and waste water for sheer convenience, remember that it's one of humanity's most vital, non-renewable resources. Simple acts like those listed above can go a long way in cutting back on wasted water not to mention cutting back on your water bill.

Ki is a real estate broker in Austin. He maintains a website about Austin real estate. His site provides a map search of the Austin MLS along with a tool that graphs mortgage interest rates.

With living costs rising at a seemingly constant rate, simple, everyday expenses are getting more and more difficult to accommodate, and many people are finding their budgets getting tighter than ever. While there are plenty of areas people can trim their budgets, such as spending on entertainment or shoe shopping, the rising costs of necessary items like food and gasoline make it harder and harder for people to cut enough spending elsewhere in their budgets to accommodate the increased expense of these everyday necessities. And despite the need, it's simply unrealistic to eliminate all extraneous spending in order to make room for the ever-increasing expense of groceries and gasoline.

Thankfully, with a little budgetary reorganization, some planning, and a dash of creativity, you can maximize your food budget to make sure you get the best value for your dollar. Here are a few tips to help you spend wisely at the grocery store, and stretch your food budget as far as possible.

Plan ahead
All too often, people approach grocery shopping with an impulse-buy mentality. "I'll just go see what's on sale," is an extremely ineffective approach to grocery shopping. Sit down with a cookbook and plan your meals at least a week in advance. Scheduling meals out in advance will allow you to maximize your food spending, as you can organize meals by primary ingredients, using them from one day to the next. Also, planning ahead will help you avoid impulse buys when you get to the store. Make a list and stick to it.

Buy in bulk
The larger quantities you're able to buy, the more you'll save. While memberships at wholesale discount clubs aren't cheap, they pay for themselves almost immediately in big savings. Buying items like individually packaged frozen meats, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc., is significantly more cost effective than buying these items in smaller amounts at your local grocery.

Keep it simple
Sticking to simple, basic ingredients is a great way to save at the grocery store. Creative recipes and exotic spices can make even the simplest items (chicken breasts, for example) a culinary treat. So skip the fillet and get creative with your recipes. You'll still eat well, and your budget will go much farther.

Be prudent with produce
While buying in bulk is great for some items, it's rarely wise when it comes to produce and other perishables. Less is more when it comes to items that have a shorter shelf life. When buying produce, only buy what you're certain you'll use. This will help you avoid unnecessary waste, and will help you save money.

Keep it close to home
Eating out is one of the fastest ways to blow through your food budget. Between overprices meals, drinks, tax, and tip, it's extremely difficult to get enough value in a meal out to justify it over eating in. Sure, there's more work involved in cooking for yourself, but it's significantly more cost effective. Save eating out for special occasions only, and you'll find your food budget will go much farther.

Escapeso Realty is a small real estate company assisting buyers looking for Austin homes. Their site provides a search of the Austin MLS and information on mortgage interest rates.